Understand the importance of palliative care during cancer treatment

Cancer is characterized by the exaggerated and disordered growth of cells. Generally, it is a disease that compromises the individual’s quality of life. In this case, palliative care may be indicated, as it offers a series of benefits to the patient during the period of coping with the disease.

But contrary to what is believed, such care is recommended from the beginning of treatment. “When we say ‘the patient is palliative’, we mean that there is nothing else that can be done. But it’s wrong. Palliative care adds to the intensive treatments (such as radio or chemotherapy), so that the patient has a lighter journey and a better quality of life”, explains oncologist Isabella Tavares. “And this extends to family members and caregivers”, completes the doctor.

What does “palliative” mean?

The word palliative comes from palliar, which means to protect. It originates from the Latin pallium, which refers to the protective mantle that the knights of the Crusades used to protect themselves from storms. This is the meaning evoked in palliative care.

Multidisciplinary treatment and follow-up

You treatments may include medication, nutritional therapy, physiotherapy and relaxation techniques, psychological support and even emotional and spiritual counseling. In practice, care relieves symptoms such as nausea, pain, fatigue, as well as helping to control cancer stress and deal with the emotional side of the disease. This includes a multidisciplinary team, with a doctor, nurse, social worker, nutritionist, psychologist, physiotherapist, speech therapist, pharmacist, dentist, for example.

Procedures to manage illness and symptoms

In case of cancer advanced lung disease, for example, thoracic oncologist Carlos Gil Ferreira, explains that systemic treatment (chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy), radiotherapy and surgery can be used palliatively to slow the spread of the disease and control symptoms such as pain or shortness of breath .

“If there is an accumulation of fluid in the lungs, for example, several procedures can drain the fluid and help prevent it from accumulating again”, says the doctor, president of the Instituto Oncoclínicas and the Sociedade Brasileira de Oncologia (SBOC).

The oncologist says that the treatment can be used at any stage to improve the patient’s quality of life, and does not mean losing hope. “In fact, palliative care can help some people with advanced lung cancer to live satisfying lives with minimal symptoms for months or even years,” he says.

Benefits of palliative care

Isabella Tavares says that people who receive palliative care have less pain, depression, nausea and shortness of breath, spend less time in intensive care and are less likely to return to the hospital. This was one of the reasons that led her to create the Overcoming Cancer Project, a course with guidance and support for people who are living and living with the disease. “The content was designed to bring safe information, in a welcoming way, making the process smoother not only for the patient, but also for caregivers, family and friends”, says the doctor.

Indication of palliative care

The indication of palliative treatments has been growing worldwide and several studies indicate that those who rely on this care have a more peaceful journey. Proof of this is that the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) recommends that all patients with cancer diagnosis patients are referred to a palliative care team within eight weeks of diagnosis.

By Nice Castro